
Holston Annual Conference concluded yesterday with the Sending Forth service and fixing of ministerial appointments for the 2022-2023 year.
In other actions on June 8, the Annual Conference:
> Adopted a rule ensuring all conference committees are comprised of at least 20% people of color.
> Saw a Congregational Development Team video celebrating revitalization of Magnolia Avenue UMC and Vestal UMC and the launching of Valley UMC, all in Knoxville, Tenn.
> Heard about an effort to revive United Methodist Men leadership.
> Accepted a report from the Holston Foundation, including news of a $150,000 grant to Holston campus ministries in the past year.
> Commissioned the 2022 Appalachian Trail chaplain: Rachel "Dragonfly" Ahrens.
> Learned from the Sexual Ethics and Boundaries Committee that all clergy will be required to undergo training in September 2022.
> Recognized closing of 10 local churches, including Ducktown in Ducktown, Tenn.; Sinking Springs in Bristol, Tenn.; Shiloh in Sneedville, Tenn.; Laurel in Damascus, Va.; Ester in Castlewood, Va.; York's Chapel in Jonesville, Va.; Speaks Chapel in Rose Hill, Va.; Exeter in Exeter, Va.; Chatham Hill in Saltville, Va.; and Rheatown in Chuckey, Tenn. The updated total of Holston Conference local churches is now 842.

> Set the date and location for Annual Conference 2023 for June 4-7 in Lake Junaluska, N.C.
> Prayed with the Rev. Jeff Wright during his Sending Forth message, "Where do we go from here?"
> Recognized and prayed for appointments along with district superintendents and district lay leaders.
The Call's final report will be posted at Holston.org soon. Livestream recordings will soon be available at AC.Holston.org.
See Sunday, Monday, Tuesday's Annual Conference daily reports below.

at adjournment.
Author
Annette Spence
Annette Spence is editor of The Call, the Holston Conference newsletter.
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